Originally Posted By trekkeruss ...would you be in favor of imploding it, Vegas-style(!), in order to make way for a new Disneyland Hotel? If so, what theme do you think would be appropriate or desirable?
Originally Posted By deadmentellnotales That's so funny you mentioned that, I had just the same though a an hour ago about the tracks to the people mover, but it wouldn't work due to crowds, and limited area. That said, knowing disney I'd probably have to pay. But it would be cool to see. Or maybe They could use a large wrecking ball but weld two smaller balls to the top in the shape of the mouse. Then as it came tumbling down they could do a special one time only firework show.
Originally Posted By dlkozy I wouldn't pay just to see it but I know that some places when the owners blow their buildings up have a lottery involved with it. I would certainly pay if a lottery was involved with the blow up and the prize say was a golden AP- good FOREVER! :0)
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I would love it if they blew it up. It and the PP Hotel are the most un-Disney hotels ever. Of course this figures since Disney didn't build them. As for themes, well any of the resort hotel themes that were originally planned for the DLR expansion would be fine: Beverly Hills Hotel, Del Coronado, Old Mission, etc.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<It and the PP Hotel are the most un-Disney hotels ever. Of course this figures since Disney didn't build them.>> Kinda why I wanted to started this thread: to hear some opinions. I definitely think Walt himself would see these as extensions of the park, and would happily implode 'em. I hadn't heard of the proposed hotels you list, and they sound okay, but maybe a bit too close-to-home and literal, IMO... worse than a theme park about CA in CA, even.
Originally Posted By patrickegan I never really understood that concept but I guess if you flew in for the weekend you would feel like you saw California-
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I hadn't heard of the proposed hotels you list, and they sound okay, but maybe a bit too close-to-home and literal, IMO... worse than a theme park about CA in CA, even. Actually at on point there were several more, where the Grand California stands today, facing what would have been Westcot's version of World Showcase. I believe these were to have been themed to continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. "I never really understood that concept but I guess if you flew in for the weekend you would feel like you saw California" I think so. They've done this in Florida. At least two of the resorts there are Floridian themed.
Originally Posted By jmuboy These hotels don't bother me, they are not beautiful on the outside, but inside they are nice.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I woldn't say the DLH or PPH 'bother' me, but given how these are the two least 'magical' of any of the Disney hotels in _the entire world_(from an achitectural standpoint)... well, I just think the resort deserves better.
Originally Posted By GREENTHUMBMOM I dont know but I have to also include if the topic is Disney magical hotels the Grand Calif, I love the place put it dosnet scream disney magic to me. Maybe Ca magic. I have stayed at all 3 hotels over the years. When I truly think about it the original DL Hotel is more Disney than the others, yes I know it wasnt owned originally by Disney , my newest book that I love is The Disneyland Hotel the early Years by Donald Ballard. I am critiquing first thru a childs eyes: images from the DL Hotel: Mickey statue waving at the drive in to check in area. Magical Herb Ryman castle at lobby entrance, Neverland Pool ( well themed) Goofys Kitchen, characters and the infamous Mocorena, the Sourcers Hat large and twinkling in the evening. From an adult view : wedding in the Rose Garden with all those wonderful roses and character topairy outside , reception in the Pavillion Room on a sunny afternoon with all the windows showcasing the view of the hotel and landscape , Mickey and Minnie at the reception ( for a fee of course). Rooms The Tinkerbell border that lights upn when the lights go off in the room, The map of DL woodburned ( ok stenciled) on the TV armoire and the Headboards of the bed. For adults the lost bar, the shopping and Hooks Pointe. Dont even get me started on the now defunt Fantasywater show. The Paradise Pier I use to love the art work in the lobby and the Lilo and Stitch brunch is fun but the pool is blah... The Grand Calif as an adult I love , more so during the Holiday season its cozy and warm and beautiful! Also the walk in fireplace and I must say we saw a great touch in Sept with a campfire story teller and a very funny little show. It was still something that would be most appreciated by adults.The pool is fun but not well themed with Disney magic, storytellers is awsome but once again if I was a kid I would be yearning for Goofys Kitchen. I still remember years ago when they did have characters at the DL Hotel in front of the character store at the bottom of the monorail station it was a mood creator it was a wonderful welcome! I would love to see Disney incorporate more character freebie ( not goofys or storytellers or stich and Lillo buffets) meet and greets around the hotel areas. I believe guest would still pay the dollars to go to the character dinning offerings. And those video game area why not cross market and have disney video games only , the remote boats at the DL Hotel are themed to the Jungle Cruise so should be the video gamess. Also in the lobby around Goofys kitchen is a great photo op with the Autopia Car, go up the elevators and look at the art work (very cool art work) for DL and the Peter Pan Mural, look at the wall of memerobila by the Grand Ball Room and the pics of famous guest at DL. My vote for themed definitley goes to the DL Hotel the original!I also remember years past where they took part of the pool area and turned it into an ice rink where once again for a fee you could ice skate and Mickey and Minnie also skated at select times. Maybe I am a little prejudiced since my daughters have spent one magical christmas there and one of my daughters was married there but it has been a great experience .. and did I amention the wedding dessert along with the cake: a white chocolate Cinderella Slipper filled with whipped cream and rasberries , with a cocoa stenciled castle on the plate lol no wonder I love the place!
Originally Posted By Elderp A Cinderella Slipper filled with whipped cream and rasberries. Sounds wierd and tasty.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I guess I have a different view of what is magical... and perhaps that isn't even an appropriate word for me to use, as it conjures up images of princesses, sorcerers, etc. I just think that the DLH and PPH have very 'generic' exteriors, while every other Disney hotel, including the GCH, and all the hotels at WDW, TDL, DLP, and HKDL, have theming that runs from top to bottom, inside to outside. Obviously, if you have many wonderful memories of stays at the DLH, I am happy for you. But I just think the resort would benefit by having the DLH and PPH imploded, and more thoroughly themed hotels erected in their place.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I would like to see both hotels removed (whatever the method of destruction--it doesn't really matter to me) and replaced with more heavily themed resort hotels. Ideally, the new resorts would not be nearly as tall. DCA can never prevent seeing "the outside world" when such tall buildings are looming over it. I would love to see at least one of new hotels be integrated into an expansion of Downtown Disney kinda like the GCH is now. Wishful thinking, I know....
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I would like to see both hotels removed (whatever the method of destruction--it doesn't really matter to me) and replaced with more heavily themed resort hotels.<< If they do, you can probably kiss those $89 AP rates good bye.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder Well, I'm already on here as saying I like it just the way it is. And one reason is that I DON'T want to see either of the two older ones torn down for a resort is that once built, that resort will probably price most people out of being able to stay there. As it is now, the on-site hotels are borderline affordable, with many people staying at HoJo's or some other like hotel. There's really not enough land available to make it a true resort as it is. Calling what they have now the Disnyeland Resort has always been a joke to me anyway.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>As it is now, the on-site hotels are borderline affordable<< I suppose it depends on one's economic status, but at non discounted rates ($200 per night) I really can't see how a family earning the national median income (45-50K) could possibly afford to stay at any of the 3 DLR hotels. You have to be upper middle class to afford such a rate. Even when discounted, they are out of reach for most folks.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder "I suppose it depends on one's economic status, but at non discounted rates ($200 per night) I really can't see how a family earning the national median income (45-50K) could possibly afford to stay at any of the 3 DLR hotels. You have to be upper middle class to afford such a rate. Even when discounted, they are out of reach for most folks." I agree. I was being generous with my description, and likely subconsciously thinking of myself. My wife and I have no kids but both of us work. Our income would likely be considered upper middle class. Making the place into a resort would most certainly price out the average family forever and most of my income level as well. There are better things to do with that kind of money.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Making the place into a resort would most certainly price out the average family forever and most of my income level as well.>> The DLH has always been more expensive. As a kid, I always wanted to stay there, but my parents could only afford (or would only justify) HoJo's.
